Manu Bhaker and Anish Bhanwala, reigning champions, faced unexpected setbacks in the second Olympic shooting trial in New Delhi. In the men’s 25m rapid fire pistol, Bhavesh Shekhawat emerged victorious over Anish. Simranpreet Kaur triumphed over Bhaker in a tight race in the women’s 25m pistol category. The trials aim to select India’s shooting contingent for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola embraced physicality in his team, leading to Manchester City’s Champions League triumph. Former Guardiola assistant Mikel Arteta has adopted a similar approach at Arsenal, focusing on defensive stability with players like Jakub Kiwior excelling in unconventional roles.
Juan Soto has made an impressive start to his tenure with the New York Yankees, batting .354 and ranking among the league’s elite in WAR. As he faces Oakland’s JP Sears on Monday, Soto’s exceptional hitting, including his ability to reach base and exploit Sears’ vulnerable fastball, positions him well to exceed 1.5 total bases in the game.
Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak is a sought-after striker, with Arsenal and Barcelona expressing interest in acquiring him. The Swedish international has been a key player for the Magpies, scoring 21 goals this season. Despite his importance to the team, Newcastle may be open to offers to meet financial regulations. While Arsenal aims to strengthen their attacking options, Barcelona sees Isak as a potential long-term replacement for Robert Lewandowski.
KKR’s Phil Salt acknowledges that his team may have benefited from a fortunate call regarding Virat Kohli’s dismissal in their victory against RCB. He suggests that the IPL may consider reviewing the effectiveness of technology in umpiring decisions.
Despite missing the final three quarters of an important game against the Minnesota Timberwolves due to a head injury, Anthony Davis (AD) was determined to play in a crucial matchup against the Golden State Warriors. However, severe headaches and nausea forced him to leave the arena before tipoff. The Lakers’ defense struggled without AD, allowing the Warriors to shoot a league-record 63.4% from three-point range. Despite his absence, AD’s individual defense remains elite. He has the ability to guard any position effectively and is ranked among the league’s best in help defense, post defense, isolation defense, and rim protection. His defensive prowess will be crucial as the Lakers face the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs, particularly against two-time MVP Nikola Jokic.
The NBA playoffs kicked off this weekend, and the action lived up to the hype. All eight Game 1s were won by the home team, the first time that has happened since 2013. Here are some of the key takeaways:
* The Denver Nuggets beat the Los Angeles Lakers 122-109, extending their winning streak against L.A. to nine games.
* The Boston Celtics set a franchise playoff record with 22 made 3-pointers, while Jayson Tatum recorded his first career playoff triple-double in a 118-107 win over the Miami Heat.
* The Philadelphia 76ers beat the New York Knicks 110-108, despite another injury scare for Joel Embiid.
* The Toronto Raptors dropped Game 1 to the Orlando Magic 118-95, as the Magic held them to 32.6% shooting from the field.
* The Milwaukee Bucks took a 1-0 series lead over the Miami Heat with a 109-102 win, as new acquisition Damian Lillard poured in 35 first-half points.
In a thrilling IPL 2024 match, Royal Challengers Bengaluru fell short by just one run despite a target of 223 set by Kolkata Knight Riders. However, the match was marred by a contentious dismissal of Virat Kohli, who fell to a full toss deemed a fair catch by the third umpire. Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has condemned the decision, stating that Kohli has fallen to an entirely new mode of dismissal and demanding an apology from the bowler.
Detroit Lions’ wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown has expressed support for a long-term contract extension for quarterback Jared Goff. St. Brown praised Goff’s leadership and winning ability, highlighting the team’s success under his guidance. The wide receiver emphasized Goff’s accuracy and command of the offense, stating that his statistics rank among the best in the league.
Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson has faced online abuse, including racism, after missing several chances in the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City. Manager Mauricio Pochettino has condemned the behavior and urged Jackson to avoid paying attention to social media. He believes Jackson is performing well for his first season as a young player with limited experience.
